On May 29, 2008, my youngest daughter Isla was born.
On May 29, 2008, Luc Bourdon died.
Today is a day of mixed emotions for me.
As I look at my daughter today, I see her full of life and promise and joy and innocence. Then I pick up the newspaper and see a picture of a young man who WAS full of life and promise and joy but was tragically taken from us too soon.
Bourdon's career was just beginning. We all saw the potential for him to be tremendous hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks. He was already a winner in his short life, capturing Gold twice with the Canadian World Junior team.
He continued to improve every year after being drafted by the Canucks in 2005, and there is no doubt that he would be been on he roster for the Canucks this past season.
But he was lost too soon, and this organization and its fans will mourn for years to come.
Fans are reminded how much Bourdon meant to the team through the wide variety of events, ceremonies and sites dedicated to Luc and his legacy. The team knows that we lost someone special that day.
And yet, my family and I gained someone special that day. We were so blessed, as with any birth, when our youngest daughter was born. Both baby and mom were healthy and happy, and our family has had a wonderful year since.
NOw, I must admit that I do not associate my daughter with Luc, but I am reminded of this fact every time I see an article about him and his accident is discussed. Whenever they mention the date, I say to myself, "Oh yeah, that's the day Isla was born."
And of course today there was no escaping that association, as Luc's picture was splashed across the back of the Province.
So today, instead of focusing on tragedy and the loss of a young man who had already captured the hearts of this city, I focus on my daughter and the wonderful life she has ahead of her.
In this circle of life, some lives are lost, and some are just beginning.
Today I am buoyed by a life that is just beginning. Today I will celebrate, and I hope you can, too.
May you rest in peace, Luc.